Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Mia dramatically covered her mouth. "Oh no, Nina looks really sick. Maybe I should just go alone and let you take care of her."

With that, she grabbed the handle of her suitcase and turned to leave.

Chase panicked immediately and called after her, "Don't be ridiculous! I can't let you travel to the other side of the world alone!"

Mia hesitated. "What about Nina?"

Chase replied without hesitation, "She's a grown woman. It's just a common cold, nothing she can't handle on her own."

"Go wait for me downstairs. I'll pack a bag right now."

After Mia walked out, I slumped back against the sofa, my body completely drained of strength.

Chase busied himself packing, without sparing a single glance in my direction.

Watching his hurried movements, my mind drifted back to the first time we met.

We had met at a local children's shelter, where he wore a crisp white shirt and patiently played games with the kids.

I was a volunteer there, and after that initial meeting, Chase had pursued me relentlessly.

It hadn't taken long for us to start dating.

Throughout our five years together, Mia had always lingered on the perimeter of our lives.

She always greeted me with that sugary sweet smile.

I had tried to be understanding.

After all, they were childhood friends, and Chase had made a conscious effort to keep his distance once we began dating.

Mia had even playfully scolded him for prioritizing his girlfriend, before turning to reassure me: "Nina, Chase is doing the right thing. No matter how close we are, he has a partner now, so he needs to draw lines."

Her words had put all my doubts to rest.

Even when their interactions crossed into overly intimate territory, I had always talked myself down.

I told myself they were practically siblings, and if anything romantic was going to happen between them, Chase never would have asked me out.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Chase finished packing and grabbed his suitcase.

I looked up at him, a sharp ache tightening in my chest, and an impulsive question slipped out. "Chase, can you stay?"

Chase paused, staring at me blankly.

Looking at the man I had loved for five years, I asked again, "Can you not go on this trip with Mia? Stay home with me instead."

I told myself that if Chase chose me this once, if he simply stayed, I would wipe the slate clean.

I would pretend none of the betrayal ever happened.

To my bitter disappointment, Chase firmly shook his head.

He knelt down in front of me and gently stroked my hair. "Nina, Mia grew up with me. She's like a sister. I can't leave her to travel alone when she's so scatterbrained."

"She promised that once we're married, she won't drag me out on trips anymore. She just wants one last adventure before our wedding."

He held my hand, his voice soothing as if he were placating a toddler.

"Once we're married, I'll take you wherever you want to go."

"Don't be petty over a few days. Be a good girl, stay home, and take your meds."

I lowered my gaze and forced a faint smirk, trying to smile back.

I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Whatever.

I had given Chase his final chance.

I shouldn't have offered it in the first place.

Perhaps my quietness unsettled him, because he reached out to pull me into a hug, but I pushed him away. "Mia is waiting for you downstairs. You should go."

Those were the exact words he was waiting to hear.

He snatched his car keys and rolled his suitcase straight toward the door.

At the threshold, he paused and looked back.

"Nina, wait for me to come home. I'm going to give you the most unforgettable wedding."

"You'll finally have a real family of your own."

My gaze softened slightly, and I offered him a small, distant smile. "Goodbye."

Seeing my smile, Chase visibly relaxed and flashed me a finger-heart.

It was Mia's trademark gesture.

He grinned warmly. "Wait for me to come home, Nina."